Michael Laws back to berating media

Radio host Michael Laws was back on the air today after a two-month hiatus. Photo / APN

Shock jock Michael Laws was back on air this morning after almost two months off - and he wasted no time getting stuck into the media, although he stopped short of suggesting they should be taken out with a shotgun.

On his show today, Laws criticised media coverage of the Carterton hot-air ballooning tragedy in which 11 people died.

The RadioLive talkback broadcaster and former Wanganui mayor had been off-air since November 21 after suggesting to his listeners that Herald on Sunday journalists should be shot.

He was unhappy the paper had obtained the recording of an over-the-teacups conversation between Prime Minister John Key and Act candidate John Banks.

He said he didn't know why somebody hadn't taken a shotgun into the newspaper and "cleaned out the entire newsroom".

Laws said his "shotgun" comment was a joke but he was subsequently off the airwaves.

On December 22, he posted on Twitter: "LAWS RETURNS TO RADIO LIVE IN JANUARY 2012 - my Xmas present to journalists everywhere :)"

The following day he added: "Christmas shopping complete ... and I've got the shotgun of my dreams as an early gift."

MediaWorks, which owns RadioLive, would not comment but referred to a statement it put out in December which said matters relating to his radio show had been resolved.